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hello, world. my name is ilene (aka illy). this is my blog where i like to write about life, laughter and the pursuit of real happiness. creamer with a pinch of coffee, songs played on repeat, red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting, and reading into the hours of the night top my list of favorite things. and life. i am a follower of Jesus and i love life.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

ever meet a blogger or discover a shop that you feel like is so...YOU?! ever since discovering this sponsor's blog and shop, i've felt this connection to her love for color and all things creative. she makes the coolest headbands and accessories - even a black flower belt that i've been eyeing. swoon! and her blog shows-offs some incredible DIYs (which is not my strong point so i dig hers!). this woman is also an inspiration because not only has her stuff been selling like hotcakes on etsy - her creations are livin' themselves up in boutiques and blog-world! talk about inspiration.

meet erin and her sweeeeet blog.

her impressive, colorful D.I.Y.s.

erin's beautiful creations.

Tell us about YOU,

the brains behind Sunshine and Carousels.

I'm married to a wonderfully talented musician and I have one cute
little redheaded girl named Penelope. I work a full time creative job,
Sunshine and Carousels, where I make/design wearable accessories and
jewelry. I started blogging back in 2008 as more of a personal thing to
share with my friends and family the happenings of our life. A major
part of me has been growing up in the arts, having a creative talented
mother so my *creative* side started coming out through my blogging
which lead me to start my very own business in April 2010.

Your blog and shop name is so fun!

Is there a meaning behind it?

I gets tons of comments on my Shop/Blog name! I started my blog name
with Sunshine and Carousels as a way to represent things I love and what
makes me, me. The *Sunshine* is that feeling I get on the most
perfectly sunny day where the temperature is just right and there's a
slight breeze blowing through my hair and those days make me feel
absolutely invincible, like I can do anything. They are my favorite
days ever. The *Carousels* comes from my love of actual carousels, but
it's more than just loving how pretty they are it's more of the magical
part of carousels. When your at a carnival or event and you start to
hear the music and you see all the pretty colors and lights and it makes
you feel like a kid, it makes you feel magical. It's the best way I
could tell readers about myself in just one short phrase. My shop
stemmed from my blog and I always aspire to represent myself well
through both.

You have so much talent exploding
from Sunshine and Carousels.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I honestly just
make things that I love. Everything that comes from me are things that I
believe in 100%, whether it be a color combination, pretty floral print
or a combination of whimsical charms on a necklace. It's all a true
representation of myself, things that I personally love to wear. I think
all 'makers' should always make things that are things that they love
that way you are the most passionate about them. If you love it, then
other will see that and love it just as well. I am inspired by nature,
my surroundings, movies that I watch, books that I read...general life
happenings. I grew up studying fine arts, painting, and I just learned
to let life inspire me.

Or is
there a particular person

that inspires you?

My mother is my biggest inspiration. She has her own company for years,
where she designs and makes custom bedding and drapery. She has always
been creative and taught me be creative as well. She always makes her
own home decor for every holiday and season and that is one of my
favorite things about her. I grew up in a house looking like it came
from a magazine and she made it all by herself. :)

What do you enjoy doing

during your "free" time"?

Free time? Never heard of a such thing. No really, I occasionally have
free time, I spend it with my husband and daughter usually going to the
park, blowing bubbles, going on family dates. When I'm not doing those
things I'm always working on other crafty projects, baking or
painting. I'm constantly trying to do creative things.

If you could design accessories for a particular celebrity, who would
that be?

And which of your shop accessories would you pair that person
with?

This is such a fun question! I think I'd like to make something for
Zooey Deshanel. I love her style, I'd love to make her a pretty velvet
feather headband to match her perfectly vintage taste. She looks so cute
in headbands.

{giveaway}

and check get this, folks, erin is offering an incredible prize to a lucky Much Love, illy reader today!!

I am a follower of your blog!I love the Miss Saundra - Deep Crimson Flower Headband (http://www.etsy.com/listing/61798985/miss-saundra-deep-crimson-flower) It is so pretty! :)) I am a sucker for anything red/maroon.michellemlhuynh[at]gmail[dot]com

I just found your blog (and I'm so glad I did!) from the BonBonRoseGirls' feature, and also on Sandy a la Mode. I'm a follower, and my favorite thing from Sunshine & Carousels is the Gray/Teal Polka dot pin/brooch.shealennon@gmail.com